U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Dollar Slips as Weak U.S. Manufacturing Data Increases Pressure for Fed Rate Cuts 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
South Korea to End Short-Selling Ban as Financial Market Uncertainty Persists 
Moody's Upgrades Argentina's Credit Rating Amid Economic Reforms 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Tech Stocks Rally in Asia-Pacific as Dollar Remains Resilient 
Cleveland Fed President Warns of Ongoing Inflation Challenge 
U.S. May Withhold $30.4 Million From Minnesota Over Improper Commercial Driver Licenses 
Rising Bond Yields Pose Risks to US Stocks and Boost Dollar 
Gold Hits Record High as Investors Eye Fed Chair Powell’s Speech on Tariffs 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Treasury Yields Dip as Dollar Gains Amid Fed Speculation 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Intel Boosts Malaysia Operations with Additional RM860 Million Investment 
The S&P 500 closed at an all-time high Thursday, gaining 0.5% to 6,118.72, with the Dow Jones rising 0.9% and the NASDAQ adding 0.2%. Investors analyzed corporate earnings and President Donald Trump’s Davos address, where he urged the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates.
Speaking remotely to the World Economic Forum, Trump called for immediate global interest rate reductions and pledged to boost U.S. energy production. His comments come ahead of the Fed's meeting next week, though Wall Street expects rates to remain unchanged. The 2-year Treasury yield stayed stable, reflecting the Fed's independence.
Trump also suggested asking Saudi Arabia to lower oil prices, impacting energy markets.
Earnings reports continued to drive market movements. GE Aerospace surged over 6% after projecting robust 2025 profits driven by strong demand for aircraft engine parts. Meanwhile, American Airlines plunged 8.7% following a first-quarter earnings forecast that disappointed investors, projecting losses of $0.20–$0.40 per share.
Electronic Arts fell nearly 17% after cutting its net bookings outlook due to weak soccer game performance. Oppenheimer flagged declines in EA's Global Football title as a significant concern. Knight-Swift Transportation rose 4.7%, citing improved margins, while Alaska Air gained 2.2% after exceeding earnings expectations.
The U.S. labor market remained resilient, with unemployment claims rising modestly by 6,000 to 223,000 last week, suggesting sustained job growth in January. However, extreme weather and Los Angeles fires could increase claims in the coming weeks.
This combination of strong corporate earnings, robust employment data, and geopolitical updates provided a dynamic backdrop for record market gains.
Keywords: S&P 500 record high, Trump Davos speech, corporate earnings, Fed interest rates, GE Aerospace, American Airlines, Electronic Arts, unemployment claims.
